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Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that usually develops during childhood. About three to five of every 1,000 children develop scoliosis with enough curvature to require treatment, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Causes
For most cases of scoliosis, doctors are not able to determine a specific cause, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. For others, the curvature of the spine develops because of problems with the formation of the spine before birth or as a result of diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or spina bifida.
Symptoms
Symptoms of scoliosis include one shoulder or hip being higher than the other and leaning to one side. If the curvature is severe, back pain and difficulty breathing are possible, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Time Frame
Most cases of scoliosis develop in adolescents or children older than 10, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Diagnosis
Doctors typically diagnose scoliosis through physical examination and then use X-rays to determine the curvature. If the curvature is less than 20 degrees, doctors typically perform periodic check-ups to ensure that the condition does not worsen. Otherwise, it is not treated.
Treatment
When treatment is necessary, doctors use braces for curves less than 40 degrees. In more serious cases, they use surgical procedures to correct the curvature by fusing vertebra.
Source:
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Scoliosis
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